The Columbus Blue Jackets are the worst team in the NHL—considering that they're nine points behind their closest competition, that barely qualifies as opinion—and now, they're reportedly looking to trade Jeff Carter, the centerpiece of their failed offseason overhaul.

Carter, acquired in a trade before the draft from the Philadelphia Flyers, is "100 percent available," and Columbus "would like to trade" him, TSN.ca analyst Darren Dreger said on Thursday night.

The issue for the Blue Jackets, though, is Carter's contract—he's got 10 years remaining and a $5.27 million cap hit, courtesy of a "lifetime" deal he signed with Philadelphia before the 2010-11 season. The 27-year-old forward has a 49-goal on his resume but has struggled with injuries this season—and few players, if any, with contracts like his are worth their salary by the end.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, as always, are in the conversation—but, as Dreger said, "Brian Burke and most sane general managers would want nothing to do with (Carter's contract)."

Carter has 17 points in 30 games after missing time at the start of the season with a foot injury.

The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, continue to hemorrhage; They've already fired coach Scott Arniel after loading up for a run at the franchise's second postseason berth. It didn't work, and their failures go beyond simple bad luck; their handling of young players like Derick Brassard and Ryan Johansen has been, at times, confusing, Columbus Dispatch beat writer Aaron Portzline summed it up:

"Losing is not new to the Blue Jackets, but across the timeline of nine coaches, 10 non-playoff seasons and one brief playoff berth, this can be said without reservation: The Blue Jackets—with 13 wins in 49 games, resting nine points out of 29th place, and 32 points out of fourth in the Central Division—have never been worse than they are today."

Portzline suggests that the problems are bigger than one person—and that players have already "lost their gumption."

Columbus fans are planning a protest at Nationwide Arena to demand the ouster of president Mike Priest and Scott Howson. One of those fans is Carl Bennett, who was the third person in line on the day in 1999 when personal-seat-license holders picked out their seats.

“I feel there is a disregard for the fan base that comes off as arrogance,” Bennett told the Dispatch. “I am not saying these are bad people. I have been around enough to know that Mike Priest and Scott Howson are really good people, and they mean well. But they have had five years now, and they haven’t gotten the job done. I think it’s time to bring in true professionals who have a track record, and I am not alone, but it doesn’t seem as if anyone is listening to us.”